Escaped in April

Now tortoise Schilli (41) is back home!

Leo and Tobias (right) with the two reunited turtles.(Bild: zVg)

A tortoise was missing in St. Johann im Pongau for three months. Workers found the animal by chance on the tracks. The Huber family, the owners, are delighted, as "Schilli" has been an integral part of the family for more than 41 years.

The Huber family in St. Johann are overjoyed: their tortoise "Schilli" is back! "We took 'Schilli' in 41 years ago, when I was still a boy myself," says Christoph Huber, now 46 years old. Willi joined us a year later. "So that 'Schilli' wouldn't be so alone."

Schilli (right) was missing for three months. Willi is happy to be back.(Bild: zVg)

"Schilli" then escaped on April 13. Last Thursday, three months later, workers found her by chance just a few kilometers away on the tracks near the train station. The men informed Felicita Animal Aid. The organization took the turtle in at the animal shelter in Lend and searched for the owner on social media. On the same day, the animal was back with the Huber family and reunited with its animal partner Willi.

We searched every day for a month. Until the very end, our grandma in particular was still hoping for a return.

Christoph Huber hat Schilli wieder

Kiss at the reunion with Willi
The animal may have overcome a rotten piece of wood in the outdoor enclosure. "We still don't know exactly how she managed to escape," says Christoph Huber. They searched the surrounding area for weeks. The father of the family also walked up and down the tracks several times. He did not find the speedy "Schilli". From the grandchildren to the great-grandmother (84) - everyone hoped that the tortoise would turn up again.

The Greek tortoises always had a wonderful life with the Huber family. But then "Schilli" became curious. Does she regret her trip? That remains unclear. But when they met again, the two turtles allegedly even kissed.